How changing water levels reshape hidden life in seagrass beds
When an Estuary Breathes
Estuaries are dynamic systems where changing water levels and salinity shape hidden ecosystems beneath the surface. This talk explores how the opening and closing of the Swartvlei Estuary influences seagrass habitats and the small invertebrates that depend on them. It challenges assumptions about habitat replacement and highlights how estuary dynamics play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological resilience.
Dr Cloverley Lawrence is a marine scientist with SANParks working across South Africa’s coastal and estuarine protected areas. Her work focuses on biodiversity monitoring, estuarine ecology, and habitat conservation, including seagrass systems and estuary-dependent species. She contributes to long-term ecological research and national conservation initiatives aimed at improving
the resilience and management of South Africa’s coastal ecosystems.
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